Automatic snuffer for ash trays



D '22, 9 1.. LOWY 2,306,273

3 AUTOMATIC S NUFFER FOR ASH TRAYS Filed Jan. 4, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheeil P2 INVENTOR i Zdrzy Zowy g ATTORNEYY I Patented Dec. 22, 1942 ear T ems 2,306,273 AUTOMATIC SNUFFER FOR ASH TRAYS Larry Lowy, Rockaway Park, N. Y. I I 7 Application January 4, 1941, Serial No. 373,116

3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in ash trays, and has more particular reference to an automatic snuffer for light-ed cigarettes balanced on edge portions of tray.

Still further the invention proposes to char acterize the automatic snuffer by an ash tray body having an elevated concave cigarette support member across which a cigarette may be placed, and said ash tray body also having a snufiing groove element below said cigarette sup port member into which the stub portion of said cigarette will fall when it burns to a point to unbalance the cigarette.

Still further the invention proposes several novel constructions for the snuffing groove element to effectively encase and constrict the major portion of the lighted end of the cigarette stub to snuff it out.

:The invention further contemplates to so arrange the automatic snufier that it may be embodied in ash trays of various shapes, sizes and designs.

Another object of the invention resides in so constructing the automatic snuifer that it may be integral with the ash tray body, or arranged :in an auxiliary portion of the body thereof.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of an ash tray provided with several automatic snuffer elements constructed in accordance with this invention.

, Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 3 but showing an ash tray with a snufier constructed according to a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of another ash tray embodying the same invention.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5. t

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of another ash tray constructed in accordance with another form of this invention.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of another ash tray embodying still another form of this invention. I

Fig; 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line l0l 0 of Fig. 9. Q Fig. 11 is an end elevational view of one of the snuffer groove elements shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is an end elevational View of another one of the snufier groove elements shown in Fig. 10.

The automatic snuffer for ash trays, in accordance with this invention, is used in combination with an ash tray body i5 having an elevated concaved cigarette support member 16 across which a cigarette, indicated by the dot and dash lines ll, may be balanced. The ash tray body It is also provided with a snufiiing groove element 88 located below the cigarette support member 18 into which the stub portion of the cigarette i! may fall when it burns to a point so as to unbalance it from its position of balance on the cigarette support member 55.

The ash tray body l5 may be of any size, shape, material and construction. As illustrated, the body 15 is provided with a large recessed top central portion 26 into which the ashes of cigarettes and cigars may be dropped. This central portion 23 is surrounded with a wall portion 2|. The wall portion 2i has a narrow flat top edge portion Zl which is too narrow to support a cigarette in balance. This wall 28 also has beveled top portions Zl which are arranged so as not to facilitate the support of a cigarette on the wall 2|. Consequently it is necessary for a person to place a cigarette on the concave cigarette support member, or members it, when it is desired to place the cigarette on the ash tray The body l5 is provided with more than one of the cigarette support members it as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1. Thegrooves R8 are formed in auxiliary portions Hi of'the body I5 which project from the sides thereof at points below the cigarette support members Hi. The body I5, and its auxiliary portions l5 are shown integral. However, this is merely a matter of choice since the body may be constructed of separate sections, connected, or placed together.

In Fig. 4 a modified form of the invention has been disclosed in which the auxiliary section l5 is of a separate material from the body section [5, and is releasibly connected therewith with holding pegs 22. I

Each snufiing groove element I8 has a shallow outer end portion I8 and a deep inner end portion I8 These end portions are so arranged that the stub portion of a cigarette which burns to a point that it is unbalanced, will first fall down so that its outer end engages the shallow outer end l8 of the snufiing groove element I8. Thereafter, upon continued burning, the lighted end will fall into the deep constricting portion |8 of the snuifing groove element. This will cut on" the air from the bottom and sides of the cigarette stub so that the ember will soon be extinguished.

In Figs. 5 and 6 a modified form of the invention has been disclosed which distinguishes from the prior form essentially in the shape of the ash tray body. In accordance with this form of the invention the automatic snufier for ash trays is used in combination with an ash tray body 25 having one or more elevated concave cigarette support members 25 across which a cigarette may be placed. The body 25 is provided with one or more snufiing groove elements 2'! for each cigarette support member 26 into which the stub portion of a cigarette will fall when it burns to a point to unbalance the cigarette.

The ash tray body 25 has an annular wall portion 28 with a comparatively narrow top edge 28 and beveled sides 28 this wall portion 28 is formed with the cigarette support member, or members 26. The cigarette body 25 has auxiliary extensions 25- from the sides thereof, at points below the cigarette support members 26. The snufling groove elements 2'! comprise recesses formed in the body 25 and the auxiliary portions 25 of the body. Each snufiing groove element 21 has a shallow outer end 2! and a deep constricting inner end 21 In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous forms and like parts are identified by like reference numerals.

In Figs. 7 and 8 another form of the invention has been disclosed which is very similar to the form shown in Figs. 5 and 6, distinguishing merely in the fact that each Sllllfllllg groove element 2! has its side wall 27 constructed in a resilient way. More specifically, each side wall 21* has a slot 30 extended longitudinally thereof along the sides and communicating with an internal cavity 3|. The cavity 3| divides off a comparatively thin compass of material forming the side walls 21 Consequently, these walls are soft and resilient.

When a cigarette stub falls into the groove element 21, the side walls 2'! will be forced outwards and then resiliently engage the sides of the lighted cigarette, helping to xtinguish same.

In Figs. 9 and 10 another form of the invention is disclosed which distinguishes from the prior forms in the arrangement and construction of the snuffing groove elements. In accordance with this form of the invention it is applied to an ash tray body 33 having an elevated con.- cave cigarette support member, or members 34 across which a cigarette may be balanced. The body 33 is provided with one or more snufling groove elements 35, 36, etc., located below said cigarette support member, or members 34 into which the stub portion of said cigarette will fall when it burns to a point to unbalance the cigarette.

At one, or more points,

The snufi'ing groove element 35 is formed from sheet material, or other material and is of hollow semi-cylindrical form. It is provided with a rubber suction cup 31 upon its bottom, by which it is releasably attached to the body 33. The snuffing groove element 36 is of similar construction, except that it is of V-shape in transverse cross section. This element 36 is also provided with a suction cup 31 mounted on its bottom side by which it is releasably mounted on the material of the ash tray body 33.

In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous forms and like parts are identified by like reference numerals.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is;

1. An automatic snuffer for ash trays, comprising an ash tray body having an elevated concaved cigarette support member across which a cigarette may be placed, and said ash tray body having a snufilng groove element below said cigarette support member into which the stub portion of said cigarette will fall when it burns to a point to unbalance said cigarette, said snufling groove element having a shallow outer end and a constricting enlarged inner end. I

2. An automatic snuifer for ash trays, comprising an ash tray body having an elevated concaved cigarette support member across which a cigarette may be placed, and said ash tray body having a snufiing groove element below said cigarette support member into which the stub portion of said cigarette will fall when it burns to a point to unbalance said cigarette, said snufling groove element having a shallow outer end and a. constricting enlarged inner end, and the side walls of said snufling groove element being resiliently arranged to resiliently engage the sides of said stub portion.

3. An automatic snuffer for ash trays, com prising an ash tray body having an elevated concaved cigarette support member across which a cigarette may be placed, and said ash tray body having a snuifmg groove element below said cigarette support member into which the stub portion of said cigarette will fall when it burns to a point to unbalance said cigarette, said snufiing groove element having a shallow outer end and a constricting enlarged inner end, and th side walls of said snufilng groove element being resiliently arranged to resiliently engage the sides of said stub portion, each of said side walls having a longitudinally extending groove near its bottom communicating with a cavity to the rear of said side wall.

LARRY LOWY. 

